Salina birth control grant

SALINA, Kan. (AP) — The Saline County Commission says it will reconsider its decision to reject a state grant for contraceptives that one commissioner likened to murder.

The commission’s new decision came after they endured strong criticism Tuesday for voting last week to reject a $6,064 grant from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment for intrauterine devices, or IUDs.

The Salina Journal reports (http://bit.ly/TTGk2j ) that in a study session after the public hearing, the commissioners agreed to study the issue further and take another vote next Tuesday.

Commissioners voted unanimously last week to reject the grant after Commissioner John Price said the IUDs could cause an abortion.

During the public hearing Tuesday, two physicians told the commission that IUDs prevent pregnancies, rather than ending a pregnancy that has already begun.